Thursday, September 06, 2007

JUSTICE FOR THE "JENA 6" - TAKE ACTION NOW!!!

IF YOU ALREADY KNOW THE FACTS, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SKIP THE FACTS AND SCROLL DOWN TO THE BOTTOM. WE SHOULD FEEL OBLIGATED TO DO SOMETHING TO ASSIST THESE YOUNG BROTHERS. IF YOU CAN'T ASSIST FINANCIALLY, YOU CAN ABSOLUTELY TAKE THE TIME TO AT LEAST SIGN THE PETITION AND FORWARD THIS TO YOUR DISTRO LIST! (You know, the people to whom you send all of the inspirational, religious messages & jokes!) JUSTICE FOR THE "JENA 6" - TAKE ACTION NOW!!!(please forward!!)

THE FACTS: In a small highly segregated rural Louisiana town of Jena in September 2006, a black student asked permission from school administrators to sit under the shade of a tree commonly reserved for the enjoyment of white students. School officials advised the black students to sit wherever they wanted and they did. The next day, three nooses, in the school colors, were hanging from the same tree. The Jena high school principal found that three white students were responsible and recommended expulsion. The white superintendent of schools over-ruled the principal and gave the students a three day suspension, saying that the nooses were "a youthful stunt." Black students decided to resist and organized a sit-in under the tree to protest the lenient treatment given to the noose-hanging white students. Racial tensions remained elevated throughout the fall. On Monday, December 4 2006, a white student who allegedly had been racially taunting black students in support of the students who hung the nooses got into a fight with black students. Allegedly, the white student was taken to the hospital treated, released, reportedly attended a social function later that evening.

As a result of this incident, six black Jena students were arrested and charged with attempted second degree murder. All six were expelled from school. The six charged were: 17-year-old Robert Bailey Junior whose bail was set at $138,000; 17-year-old Theo Shaw - bail $130,000; 18-year-old Carwin Jones--bail $100,000; 17-year-old Bryant Purvis--bail $70,000; 16 year old Mychal Bell, a sophomore in high school who was charged as an adult and for whom bail was set at $90,000; and a still unidentified minor. On the morning of the trial, the District Attorney reduced the charges from attempted second degree murder to second degree aggravated battery and conspiracy. Aggravated battery in Louisiana law demands the attack be with a dangerous weapon. The prosecutor was allowed to argue to the jury that the tennis shoes worn by Bell could be considered a dangerous weapon.

When the pool of potential jurors was summoned, fifty people appeared, all white. The jury deliberated for less than three hours and found Mychal Bell guilty on the maximum possible charges of aggravated second degree battery and conspiracy. He faces up to a maximum of 22 years in prison. The rest of the Jena 6 await similar trials. Theodore Shaw is due to go on trial shortly. Mychal Bell is scheduled to be sentenced September 20th If he gets the maximum sentence he will not be out of prison until he is nearly 40.

THE MESSAGE:

As Chairman Julian Bond stated, "This is an American outrage that demonstrates the continuing shame of racial division in our country. Join us in making it one of the last."

In light of the circumstances surrounding Mychal Bell's case, we urge all concerned citizens to support the call for a new trial.

It is unacceptable to selectively enforce the law based on race. Prosecutorial discretion should be used in a fair and equitable manner. The Jena Six should be tried by juries that reflect the racial and ethnic demographics of Jena, Louisiana.

The hanging of nooses is not a "youthful stunt" or "prank." It is a hate crime. Such hate crimes should not be tolerated at any school. Jena High School must establish a curriculum which promotes cultural sensitivity and understanding.

The NAACP calls on Louisiana Governor Kathleen B. Blanco and Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti to thoroughly investigate and monitor the trials of Mychal Bell, Robert Bailey, Jr., Theo Shaw, Carwin Jones, Bryant Purvis and John Doe. The Governor and State Attorney General should do everything in their power to ensure that these young men's constitutional rights are protected.

THE UPDATE:

The NAACP, along with a number of organizations, has been working with the lawyers of the Jena 6 daily to arrange for new trials. We're also reviewing additional steps we can take to more fully address the structural racism issues the students may face in the schools. In addition, there is a possibility that a national mobilization will take place within the next few weeks, but we'll let you know more info as it becomes available.

Send a letter to the Louisiana Governor and the Louisiana Attorney General: http://www.naacp.org/pdfs/SampleJena6SupportLetter.pdf (sample letter)

SPREAD THE WORD! Too many people don't even know about the Jena 6 tragedy. Not to mention the fact that events such as this are occurring daily!

Host an event, forum, town hall meeting, pass out flyers, whatever.just make sure that the people in your community and on your campus understand that racism and injustice is ALIVE. If we don't fight for the Jena 6 and fight to end racism in this country who will?

If you have any questions, call Angela Ciccolo or Stefanie Brown at the National Headquarters at (410) 580-5777.

Definite action is tantamount...I signed the petition last week. As a office holder of our neighborhood block club, I will get all the necessary information from the source and pass it on to all in attendance of our next meeting. I will also urge each and everyone there to pass it on as well...this makes me sick.

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The blog was started to talk about issues impacting the pressroom both positively and negatively. The views expressed here are not of the LA Times, but of each individual's opinion. The Pressmen's Club is composed of men and women who have printed the paper for twenty years or more. Semi-annual dinners are held in March and October. See Ed Padgett for more information.